… As Osun students decry rising education costs, say Abiola’s legacy has been betrayed
…Protesters demand reversal of electricity tariff, anti-poor policies
By Our Correspondents
Thousands of Nigerians trooped to the streets across various states on Thursday, 12th June, to protest worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and the erosion of democratic rights under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protests, timed to coincide with Democracy Day, were held in major cities including Lagos, Osogbo, Ibadan, Akure and others.
Despite the presence of heavily armed security operatives, the demonstrations were largely peaceful, with protesters displaying placards that read: “Reverse Electricity Tariff Hike”, “End Hunger Now”, and “No One Deserves a Death Sentence for Protesting Against Hunger.”
In Lagos, protesters converged at the Ikeja Under Bridge under the banner of the Take It Back Movement, along with other civil society organisations and pro-democracy activists.
Despite a heavy deployment of personnel from the Nigeria Police Force Area F Division, the protest proceeded without major incident.
Confirming the protest, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “Adequate security is on ground for celebrants and protesters alike. No cause for alarm. Your safety and security remain our priority.”
The demonstrators called for an immediate reversal of economic policies deemed “anti-poor”, including the removal of subsidies and increased utility tariffs. They also criticised the rising cost of living, growing unemployment, and attacks on civil liberties.
In Osogbo, capital of Osun State, the Osun Civil Societies Coalition staged a peaceful rally that began at Ayetoro Junction and passed through major landmarks before terminating at Ogo-Oluwa.
Addressing the crowd, Comrade Waheed Lawal, a leading voice in the movement, commended the Federal Government for posthumously recognising Chief MKO Abiola as winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.
However, he demanded more concrete action: “The Federal Government should give MKO the highest honour that any president can take. They should compensate families of those who lost their lives in the struggle.”
He also pressed the Osun State Government to expedite the employment of teachers into public schools, adding: “They have done the interview; they should do the needful on time.”
Lawal further urged the state government to improve the security of lives and property, stressing:“They should care for the generality of people.”
Also speaking, Babatunde Aboke, General Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, criticised successive governments for failing to uphold Abiola’s legacy: “We are not here today as students of history, students of Osun State and reasonable Nigerians, but we are here to celebrate and to remind our government that the promises of MKO Abiola have failed by the leadership of the Federal Government, state governments and our leaders.”
“MKO preached free education, free healthcare and freedom of movement… but here in Nigeria today, education is difficult for us.”
Comrade Wole Oladapo, another civil society leader, added that the protest was not a plea but a firm statement of demands: “We strongly make a demand to President Bola Tinubu to jettison that idea of 5% tax that will bring another hardship on Nigerians.”
“We are saying that inflation should be arrested now via sound economic policies, via agricultural development targeted at ward-level farmers in Nigeria.
“We are making demands that Nigerians should be able to speak freely and go to sleep without thinking that they will be arrested the next day.”
In Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, a coalition of civil society groups, labour activists and students marched through the Mokola-Adamasingba-Dugbe axis, chanting slogans and calling for genuine electoral reforms, an end to insecurity, and economic relief.
Addressing the protesters, Professor Ademola Aremu, former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan, said: “We are saying attention should be given to the insecurity. We want people to be able to sleep and sleep well. We want people to travel and have peace of mind. We are saying the farmers should go back to the farm and be able to cultivate. This is what we want from our governments.”
Security personnel were observed at strategic points to maintain order and prevent any hijack of the demonstration.
In Akure, capital of Ondo State, protesters gathered at Cathedral Junction, but the march was abruptly cut short after suspected hoodlums believed to be sponsored agents disrupted the rally. Eyewitnesses reported scuffles and chaos before the crowd dispersed.
In Benin City, Edo State, the planned protest was cancelled due to security concerns. Heavy police and military presence was observed at the scheduled venues, including the National Museum and Auchi.
Speaking to journalists, Dr Hafiz Lawal, the Edo State protest coordinator, explained: “There was an interest that came in last night (Wednesday), so we had to call off the strike to avoid any hijack of the protest.”
He clarified that there was no pressure from authorities, noting: “The police and the Directorate of State Security have been very supportive during past protests.”
In Ekiti State, there was no sign of any protest activity. The streets remained calm for most of the morning, with residents using the public holiday for personal errands. Business activities gradually resumed by midday.
Across the country, the coordinated demonstrations served as a reminder of the growing public dissatisfaction with governance.
Organisers, including the #EndBadGovernance Movement, reiterated the need for accountability and people-centred governance.
